84 research outputs found
Experimental open air quantum key distribution with a single photon source
We present a full implementation of a quantum key distribution (QKD) system
with a single photon source, operating at night in open air. The single photon
source at the heart of the functional and reliable setup relies on the pulsed
excitation of a single nitrogen-vacancy color center in diamond nanocrystal. We
tested the effect of attenuation on the polarized encoded photons for inferring
longer distance performance of our system. For strong attenuation, the use of
pure single photon states gives measurable advantage over systems relying on
weak attenuated laser pulses. The results are in good agreement with
theoretical models developed to assess QKD security
Heralded processes on continuous-variable spaces as quantum maps
Conditional evolution is crucial for generating non-Gaussian resources for
quantum information tasks in the continuous variable scenario. However, tools
are lacking for a convenient representation of heralded process in terms of
quantum maps for continuous variable states, in the same way as Wigner
functions are able to give a compact description of the quantum state. Here we
propose and study such a representation, based on the introduction of a
suitable transfer function to describe the action of a quantum operation on the
Wigner function. We also reconstruct the maps of two relevant examples of
conditional process, that is, noiseless amplification and photon addition, by
combining experimental data and a detailed physical model. This analysis allows
to fully characterize the effect of experimental imperfections in their
implementations.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures. Minor change
On the distillation and purification of phase-diffused squeezed states
Recently it was discovered that non-Gaussian decoherence processes, such as
phase-diffusion, can be counteracted by purification and distillation protocols
that are solely built on Gaussian operations. Here, we make use of this
experimentally highly accessible regime, and provide a detailed experimental
and theoretical analysis of several strategies for purification/distillation
protocols on phase-diffused squeezed states. Our results provide valuable
information for the optimization of such protocols with respect to the choice
of the trigger quadrature, the trigger threshold value and the probability of
generating a distilled state
Improvement of continuous-variable quantum key distribution systems by using optical preamplifiers
Continuous-variable quantum key distribution protocols, based on Gaussian
modulation of the quadratures of coherent states, have been implemented in
recent experiments. A present limitation of such systems is the finite
efficiency of the detectors, which can in principle be compensated for by the
use of classical optical preamplifiers. Here we study this possibility in
detail, by deriving the modified secret key generation rates when an optical
parametric amplifier is placed at the output of the quantum channel. After
presenting a general set of security proofs, we show that the use of
preamplifiers does compensate for all the imperfections of the detectors when
the amplifier is optimal in terms of gain and noise. Imperfect amplifiers can
also enhance the system performance, under conditions which are generally
satisfied in practice.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, submitted to J. Phys. B (special issue on Few
Atoms Optics
Maximal Violation of Bell Inequalities using Continuous Variables Measurements
We propose a whole family of physical states that yield a violation of the
Bell CHSH inequality arbitrarily close to its maximum value, when using
quadrature phase homodyne detection. This result is based on a new binning
process called root binning, that is used to transform the continuous variables
measurements into binary results needed for the tests of quantum mechanics
versus local realistic theories. A physical process in order to produce such
states is also suggested. The use of high-efficiency spacelike separated
homodyne detections with these states and this binning process would result in
a conclusive loophole-free test of quantum mechanics.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, to appear in PRA in a slightly different versio
Field test of a continuous-variable quantum key distribution prototype
We have designed and realized a prototype that implements a
continuous-variable quantum key distribution protocol based on coherent states
and reverse reconciliation. The system uses time and polarization multiplexing
for optimal transmission and detection of the signal and phase reference, and
employs sophisticated error-correction codes for reconciliation. The security
of the system is guaranteed against general coherent eavesdropping attacks. The
performance of the prototype was tested over preinstalled optical fibres as
part of a quantum cryptography network combining different quantum key
distribution technologies. The stable and automatic operation of the prototype
over 57 hours yielded an average secret key distribution rate of 8 kbit/s over
a 3 dB loss optical fibre, including the key extraction process and all quantum
and classical communication. This system is therefore ideal for securing
communications in metropolitan size networks with high speed requirements.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, submitted to New Journal of Physics (Special
issue on Quantum Cryptography
Quantum key distribution using gaussian-modulated coherent states
Quantum continuous variables are being explored as an alternative means to
implement quantum key distribution, which is usually based on single photon
counting. The former approach is potentially advantageous because it should
enable higher key distribution rates. Here we propose and experimentally
demonstrate a quantum key distribution protocol based on the transmission of
gaussian-modulated coherent states (consisting of laser pulses containing a few
hundred photons) and shot-noise-limited homodyne detection; squeezed or
entangled beams are not required. Complete secret key extraction is achieved
using a reverse reconciliation technique followed by privacy amplification. The
reverse reconciliation technique is in principle secure for any value of the
line transmission, against gaussian individual attacks based on entanglement
and quantum memories. Our table-top experiment yields a net key transmission
rate of about 1.7 megabits per second for a loss-free line, and 75 kilobits per
second for a line with losses of 3.1 dB. We anticipate that the scheme should
remain effective for lines with higher losses, particularly because the present
limitations are essentially technical, so that significant margin for
improvement is available on both the hardware and software.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure
Single-particle nonlocality and entanglement with the vacuum
We propose a single-particle experiment that is equivalent to the
conventional two-particle experiment used to demonstrate a violation of Bell's
inequalities. Hence, we argue that quantum mechanical nonlocality can be
demonstrated by single-particle states. The validity of such a claim has been
discussed in the literature, but without reaching a clear consensus. We show
that the disagreement can be traced to what part of the total state of the
experiment one assigns to the (macroscopic) measurement apparatus. However,
with a conventional and legitimate interpretation of the measurement process
one is led to the conclusion that even a single particle can show nonlocal
properties.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure
Probabilistic Quantum Logic Operations Using Polarizing Beam Splitters
It has previously been shown that probabilistic quantum logic operations can
be performed using linear optical elements, additional photons (ancilla), and
post-selection based on the output of single-photon detectors. Here we describe
the operation of several quantum logic operations of an elementary nature,
including a quantum parity check and a quantum encoder, and we show how they
can be combined to implement a controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate. All of these gates
can be constructed using polarizing beam splitters that completely transmit one
state of polarization and totally reflect the orthogonal state of polarization,
which allows a simple explanation of each operation. We also describe a
polarizing beam splitter implementation of a CNOT gate that is closely
analogous to the quantum teleportation technique previously suggested by
Gottesman and Chuang [Nature 402, p.390 (1999)]. Finally, our approach has the
interesting feature that it makes practical use of a quantum-eraser technique.Comment: 9 pages, RevTex; Submitted to Phys. Rev. A; additional references
inlcude
A single-photon transistor using nano-scale surface plasmons
It is well known that light quanta (photons) can interact with each other in
nonlinear media, much like massive particles do, but in practice these
interactions are usually very weak. Here we describe a novel approach to
realize strong nonlinear interactions at the single-photon level. Our method
makes use of recently demonstrated efficient coupling between individual
optical emitters and tightly confined, propagating surface plasmon excitations
on conducting nanowires. We show that this system can act as a nonlinear
two-photon switch for incident photons propagating along the nanowire, which
can be coherently controlled using quantum optical techniques. As a novel
application, we discuss how the interaction can be tailored to create a
single-photon transistor, where the presence or absence of a single incident
photon in a ``gate'' field is sufficient to completely control the propagation
of subsequent ``signal'' photons.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figure
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